The sports contest takes place every year on the occasion of the birthday of General Secretary
Kim Jong Il.

During the period of the contest nine sports events including basketball, volleyball, ice hockey and speed skating will take place in Pyongyang and Samjiyon.

Present at the opening ceremony were Kim Jung Rin, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, officials concerned and sportsmen.

Chairman of the Physical Culture and Sports Guidance Commission Pak Hak Son's opening address was followed by speeches.